Traction Control noise – is it normal?

[feferic]

One nice thing about snow and ice is that you get to play with the traction control. Since this is my first car with this wonderful feature – I’m wondering if the noise I’m hearing is normal.

The majority of the time, the light will just come on indicating that the traction control is functioning properly – and you can ‘feel’ the difference.

On occasion, when starting from a stop – light at a stop sign or light – there will be a little grinding (for lack of better terms) and jerking. I assume its normal, but since it doesn’t do it every time, I’m not sure.

Any thoughts…

Thanks

[Inspector1]

Yes thats what my 02 sounds like......
I'm not very impressed by it though... We had a batch of snow and ice a couple of weeks ago and when I tried to climb a hill it still would not go.... A Lexus Ls400 pulled beside me and stopped and I could see her push the traction control on hers and she went on up hill.... So either Lexus t-control is superior or she had dedicated snows???
I1:)

[feferic]

good deal. I was concerned I may be without a car if they needed to fix it.

Coming from a car that had nothing (90 Dodge Daytona), I love the traction control and ABS. My accords work much better than my parents '98 Old's Intrigue (sp)?

[raff]

we have traction control, i believe the higher end lexus' and acuras have VDC or VSA basically in our cars for TCS the brakes are applied to help stabilize the vehicle. with VDC or VSA the car's engine is used to shift power to the wheels...

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by raff
we have traction control, i believe the higher end lexus' and acuras have VDC or VSA basically in our cars for TCS the brakes are applied to help stabilize the vehicle. with VDC or VSA the car's engine is used to shift power to the wheels...

I think the Lexus system is called VSC but whatever they're all confusing. The point I'm trying to make is that it doesn't affect the vehicle when it's trying to climb a slope. Also, I think all TCS system's will appropriate power based on what wheels have power. If they didn't, that's pretty stupid especially on a 2WD car (though I'm not sure if they do or don't). IMO, TCS is definitely a disadvantage in snow. Sometimes, a little tire slip can clear snow and allow the tires to get down to stuff with more grip. Also, remember the Accord is FWD, so while it may be better for acceleration on flat land, it's definitely not as good for climbing since all the weight is put on the rear wheels. And also Lexus TCS is on unless you turn it off...so if you saw the lady flip the switch, wouldn't she have turned it off?

[CatchMe]

That is normal. Your Accords traction control system interacts with the engine computer to maintain proper throttle input to the spinning tires as well as the brake controller. The sound you hear is actually the ABS brakes working. This is another way the computer keeps from spinning the tires. Aint technology wonderful...

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by CatchMe
That is normal. Your Accords traction control system interacts with the engine computer to maintain proper throttle input to the spinning tires as well as the brake controller. The sound you hear is actually the ABS brakes working. This is another way the computer keeps from spinning the tires. Aint technology wonderful...

Originally, the noise was described as a grinding. ABS chatters, but it doesn't grind. If it's grinding, that means something else must be going on. Unless the pads are worn or theres a rock stuck in there.

[feferic]

The noise is more of an ABS Chatter -- just like when you slam on your brakes and they 'go to work'.

However, I've had two times were I've heard a grinding noise (not associated with breaking). Next time I have my car in, I'll have Honda look at it. Since it only lasts a few seconds, I think its a rock that worked its way in.

[BenjiBoy650]

Well, it would be quite discouraging to me to find out that Honda designed a car where rocks frequently got stuck between the rotor and pads. It has been said in many places, though, that the 7th gen brakes are pretty shoddy.

[feferic]

I'll be taking my car in for service sometime later this month... I'll be sure to tell the Honda guy about the noise and see what the tell me and let eveyone here know.